Vichy New Caledonia 1940

HMAS ADELAIDE
After the capitulation of France, the Vichy Government made a very strong bid to establish a Vichy regime in New Caledonia despite a predominant Free French following amongst the population. Australia was very interested in this move, as the threat of having a hostile population in a covering position on the east coast of Australia was very serious, and one which could not be tolerated.When the British Commissioner and High Commissioner arrived at Noumea on 30 August they found that the Military Commandant had taken the place of the French Governor, and that the sloop DUMONT D'URVILLE was in port with a pro-Vichy Captain in command. The commissioners found that no De Gaulle Committee had been formed, although the majority of the people were for De Gaulle. ADELAIDE arrived at Vila (New Hebrides) on 7 September 1940 and remained there until 16 September when she departed for Noumea escorting the Norwegian tanker NORDEN. Aboard NORDEN was the Temporary Governor of New Caledonia, Commissioner-General of Western Pacific and High Commissioner of New Hebrides appointed as such by General De Gaulle.ADELAIDE and NORDEN arrived at Noumea on 19 September to find that the pro-Vichy authorities had practically declared martial law, and that the city was full of the De Gaulle supporters. The crowd, which numbered several thousand, marched to Government House and demanded the Governor's resignation in favour of the De Gaulle appointee. The Governor finally agreed to permit the new appointee to land, which he did at noon, and ADELAIDE withdrew to patrol off the harbour entrance, with the object of inspiring confidence ashore, exercising restraint on DUMONT D'URVILLE, and maintaining mobility.The crowd escorted the De Gaulle appointee to Government House, and after consultation it was agreed that the pro-Vichy Military Governor would hand over at 1500 on 19 September. After protracted negotiations and much diplomacy, DUMONT D'URVILLE sailed for Indo-China on 25 September 1940 and the situation ashore gradually became normal. ADELAIDE departed Noumea in October and arrived back in Sydney on 8 October 1940.

130 Captain H. A. Showers, Commanding Officer of H.M.A.S. Adelaide, to Commonwealth Naval Board Naval signal 0357Z/21 NOUMEA, 21 September 1940, 3.57 a.m. Received 21 September 1940, 6.21 a.m. IMPORTANT Have received formal protest from 'DUMONT D'URVILLE' claiming violation of French territorial waters. Have replied ship remains at official request of Government of New Caledonia and cannot agree that under present circumstances any violation of neutral rights is involved. SAUTOT [1] has informed British Consul [2] that he expects written reply by 0400 Z to his request that 'DUMONT D'URVILLE' depart from Noumea at 0700 Z today Saturday. Situation ashore still unstable mainly due to presence of 'DUMONT D'URVILLE' and lack of any military officer above rank of Lieutenant to give active assistance to SAUTOT.FRENCH CONTROL 1940: SIGNALS ACNB-ADELAIDE] 1 Free French Governor of New Caledonia. 2 W. A. Johnston.

133 Department of External Affairs to Mr B. C. Ballard, Official Representative in New CaledoniaCablegram 23 23 September 1940, IMMEDIATE MOST SECRET[This document has been corrected from a slightly revised version contained in teleprinter message 1918 of 23 September on file AA:A981, New Caledonia 1, iv.] Reference Admiralty message for Sautot dated 22nd September, 1940 [1], sent through [H.M.A.S.] Adelaide, the situation so far as has been reported to us, appears to be deteriorating and requires prompt measures to eliminate those factors which are jeopardising the stability of colony and its whole-hearted adhesion to Free France. It is requested therefore that you interview immediately Sautot [2] and place before him the following on behalf of the Commonwealth Government. (1) In the opinion of the Commonwealth Government Colonel Denis should be deported at the earliest practicable moment. (2) Other elements in the armed forces who are followers of Denis or who are likely to provide leaders in the case of an attempted Vichy coup, should be interned immediately, and the extremists among them should be deported. (3) A staunch officer should be appointed temporarily to command the local forces without waiting for any special officer from Tahiti or elsewhere. (4) Sautot should ask Captain of Adelaide [3] forthwith for protection against any attempt to interfere with the internal control or administration of the colony or against any vessel hostile to Free France already in or proceeding to New Caledonia. (5) You are to inform Sautot that if he asks for the protection mentioned in paragraph 4, the Captain of the Adelaide will be instructed immediately to give it. [4]1 On file AA:A981, New Caledonia 37. It transmitted orders from General Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French movement, that Denis (former Governor and military commander), de Quievrecourt (commanding officer of the Vichy sloop Dumont d'Urville) and all other dangerous opponents of the Free French movement should be interned or deported. 2 Free French Governor of New Caledonia. 3 Captain H. A. Showers. 4 Showers reported on 24 September: 'Situation now practically stable. DUMONT D'URVILLE sails for Saigon on receipt of provisions tomorrow Wednesday. All Vichy adherents now under restraint in PIERRE LOTI anchored harbour.' See teleprinter message D339 on file AA:A981, New Caledonia 37.[AA:A981, NEW CALEDONIA 1, iv]